Li, G;
Dong, D;
Hong, G;
Yan, L;
Zhang, X;
Song, W;
(2019)
High-Efficiency Cryo-Thermocells Assembled with Anisotropic Holey Graphene Aerogel Electrodes and a Eutectic Redox Electrolyte.
Advanced Materials
, 31
(25)
, Article 1901403. 10.1002/adma.201901403.
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Abstract
Thermocells, capable of converting temperature-dependent electrochemical redox potentials into electrical power, can harvest waste or low-grade heat in an economical and continuous approach with zero carbon emission. However, the power density and conversion efficiency of thermocells are hindered by a narrow operation window and low ion conductivity of the electrodes, especially in freezing weather conditions. Herein, highly efficient cylindrical thermocells, working in a wide operation window of cold temperatures, are developed. A eutectic electrolyte consisting of formamide and water is formulated with a high ion conductivity, which is retained at a significantly extended lower limit of the operation window from conventional 0 to -40 °C. In parallel, an electrode material based on anisotropic holey graphene aerogel is synthesized with improved ion conductivity, especially at temperatures below 0 °C, due to its aligned graphene sheets and pores. By taking the advantages of both components, the power density and the Seebeck coefficient of a single-cylinder thermocell reaches an exceptionally high value, i.e., 3.6 W m-2 and 1.3 mV K-1 , respectively. Moreover, assembled thermocells in series packaging substantially enhance the voltage of the open-circuit, i.e., from 140 mV (1-cylinder thermocell) to 2.1 V (15-cylinder thermocells).
Type: | Article |
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Title: | High-Efficiency Cryo-Thermocells Assembled with Anisotropic Holey Graphene Aerogel Electrodes and a Eutectic Redox Electrolyte |
Location: | Germany |
Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
DOI: | 10.1002/adma.201901403 |
Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201901403 |
Language: | English |
Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
Keywords: | Anisotropic graphene aerogels, cryo-thermocells, eutectic electrolytes, holey graphene |
UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Surgery and Interventional Sci UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Surgery and Interventional Sci > Department of Surgical Biotechnology |
URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10073261 |
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